Stewardship

At Aberdeen Standard Investments, we take our stewardship and environmental, social and governance (ESG) roles seriously. As we are active long-term responsible investors, stewardship and ESG are fundamental components of our company-wide investment philosophy and process.

Stewardship is about understanding everything there is to know about an asset, especially its risks and opportunities. We do this before making any investment, ensuring we build only the highest-quality portfolios for our clients.

In addition to the review and integration of material ESG factors, we also offer clients bespoke ESG solutions to meet their investment needs. This process is led by our Stewardship and ESG specialists for a fully integrated approach.

Strategy and management

Company strategy is constantly evolving as markets and environments change. Without a clear corporate vision, and excellent leadership to realise that vision, it’s almost impossible to generate long-term value. Our analysts spend time with the leadership teams of the companies we invest in and also attend key shareholder meetings.

ESG

The companies we invest in pay close attention to corporate governance and ESG risk/opportunity management, ensuring compliance with all regulations and laws and good conduct at all times. We also have a zero-tolerance policy for bribery and corruption.

Culture

Corporate culture is essential to the long-term success of a business. We look for ambitious companies that do the right thing by their employees, customers and shareholders, fostering solid teamwork throughout the company.

People and diversity

Successful companies don’t limit themselves in the way they recruit and develop their people. We pay particular attention to how diverse and inclusive the working environment is, their approach to training and development, and to fair remuneration.

Looking after customers

All businesses have a duty to act in the best interests of their customers. We believe that those who put their customers first are likely to deliver better longer-term results. This means creating quality products and services, while being transparent, having sound business practices and looking after their customers’ information securely.

Delivering for shareholders

Profit, and the creation of value for shareholders, is an outcome of delivering effectively for all other stakeholders – whether that’s customers, employees or suppliers.

Company strategy is constantly evolving as markets and environments change. Without a clear corporate vision, and excellent leadership to realise that vision, it’s almost impossible to generate long-term value. Our analysts spend time with the leadership teams of the companies we invest in and also attend key shareholder meetings.

The companies we invest in pay close attention to corporate governance and ESG risk/opportunity management, ensuring compliance with all regulations and laws and good conduct at all times. We also have a zero-tolerance policy for bribery and corruption.

Corporate culture is essential to the long-term success of a business. We look for ambitious companies that do the right thing by their employees, customers and shareholders, fostering solid teamwork throughout the company.

Successful companies don’t limit themselves in the way they recruit and develop their people. We pay particular attention to how diverse and inclusive the working environment is, their approach to training and development, and to fair remuneration.

All businesses have a duty to act in the best interests of their customers. We believe that those who put their customers first are likely to deliver better longer-term results. This means creating quality products and services, while being transparent, having sound business practices and looking after their customers’ information securely.

Aberdeen Standard Investments is a brand of the investment businesses of Aberdeen Asset Management and Standard Life Investments.

Investment involves risk. The value of investments, and the income from them, can go down as well as up and an investor may get back less than the amount invested. Past performance is not a guide to future results.